The BBC has told UK government officials and lawmakers not to interfere with its probe into sexual abuse allegations against the late entertainer Jimmy Savile as it comes under increasing fire for its handling of the scandal.

The BBC has to explain why it honored Savile last year — two months after his death — in tribute shows when its own “Newsnight” program was probing allegations that he had sexually abused children who appeared on his programs or attended the institutions where he volunteered.

Meanwhile, the scandal has also put pressure on former BBC Director-General and editor-in-chief Mark Thompson, who is due to become chief executive officer of the New York Times Co. next month.

UK lawmaker Rob Wilson yesterday asked Thompson to clarify whether he’d heard any allegations against Savile in his three decades at the BBC and what he knew about the defunct “Newsnight” investigation.

Thompson replied that he had only informally heard about the “Newsnight” segment at a reception from a reporter and that he’d never met Savile or heard any reports about abuse.

New York Times Public Editor Margaret Sullivan has openly questioned whether the company should reassess its choice of Thompson.

In the piece, she called on the company to thoroughly examine Thompson, the man tapped to fill a position vacant since last December.

“His integrity and decision-making are bound to affect The Times and its journalism — profoundly,” she wrote. “It’s worth considering now whether he is the right person for the job, given this turn of events.”

The Times said Thompson is still due to join the company as CEO the week of Nov. 12.